The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-02


gigantic monopoies may be stayed in their
grasping control Of the transportation OF the
country They are interested in having a
sound currency, and consequently staple
markets. in the proper control and qlsposi.,
ton of the public lands, in o hundred great
questions which are matters for national
consideration and congressional action, and
which are the subject of study and popular
discussion in every State but ours. And yet
in this State, twenty, years after reconstrnc-
ton and ten years after its government has
been restored to its people, we are engaged
in q bitter discussion, not oyer State politics
or policies, but over the claim OF individuals
and factions, and this discussion goes SO far
as not only to prevent the consideration, OF
questions Of national and State policy, but
in some quarters to be accompanied by tire
demand that all issues, claims and can
didacies should be subordinated to the
SUPPORT OF A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE
for Governor, and that the field of political
discussion shall be closed, and the door OF
political preferment shut to all who do not
political leader. Against this claim, ana
| this sort OF politics, desire to enter my
| protest to-day.
From the date Of the Confederate sur
render. and the restoration Of my citizen.
secured to its people by the election Of Gov,
Nichols, | have tried to do my humble part
| in the constant battle which we waged with
our political enemies, the Radical party. Tor
| the accomplishment OF that object.
| For the last ten years we have been in pos
| session of our State in every department Of
! it's government. We have elected three Gov
ernore, as many Legislatures, and have
| adopted o new Constitution Of our own MAX
| ing. We are now IN possession OF the ma
| tional administration for the first limo IN
Democratic delegation from this State IN
both houses of the national Congress. All
this has been achieved by harmonious and
united action within the Democratic party
by Democratic unity.
/ for one. now that we have accomplished
this great political success, decline to turn
my back upon the methods by which it has
been achieved, and to Join in 81 war of fac
lions, whose onlyresUlt can belthe destruction
OF that harmony and union through which
we have triumpGed, and in which consists
our, strength. l have never faltered III
battle with the enemy. I wish to make no
war upon my friends
As l said in Monroe, we have had three
Democratic State administrations since
1877, and the DEMOCRATIC party are respon-
sible for them all. There may have been
errors of omission or commission, but these
administrations have been in The main
WISE, PRUDENT AID HONORABLE.
During this whole ten years Of Democratic
| government the State has prospered and I'M
proved in every material interest. Taxation
ernment have been en- down, better proTi-
| sion has been made for the education of the
| Children Of both races, the levees destroyed
! by the war and subsequent floods have been
rebuilt and placed in better condition than
| for Twenty-Five years past. Our public charl-
! ties sad educational institutions have been
| restored ard placed in good condition. Our
| financial condition and public credit have
been materially improved, and the blessings
| of good government have evidenced them
| nf and
many mlsfortunes with which our people
| have been visited
I have no word of criticism, and, indeed.
nothing but praise to bestow upon the three
this period flied the gubernatorial chair.
| One of them has been untimely removed
| from earth, young III years, but full OF holl-
ors, while serving the term for which he had
been chosen. by great majority, and has
left behind him memory which win be ever
dear to the people of the State which he loved
and served so truly. The other two are Call
didates now before the people for the office
which they have both filed with distin-
gulshed credit to themselves and service to
With this candidacy no one can find fault.
The position is one of great honor, and to
| fill it may well be the ambition OF any worthy
citizen.
venture here to find fault with the manner
in which the campaign Is being waged in be:
half OF at least ore of these candidates and
/ the grounds upon which his candidacy is
placed, and here, standing upon q Demo.
| cratic platform to which all candidates and
all Democrats of every shade Of opinion are
| invited, venture to criticize that style OF
Democratic campaign which IL made in
THE INTEREST OF A SINGLE CANDIDATE,
and solely in opposition to Democratic
State administration.
Gov. Nichols was chosen Governor by the
unanimous and enthusiastic vote of oul
party. +. the trying struggle for the ,recog-
our leader, he did his duty well and nohly
have no desire, as l have SAID before, te
pluck one laurel from the chaplet which
adorns his brow. cheerfully accord to him
all the honor which belongs to him.. His
term was abridged by The constitutions
| convention. He did nos offer himself .agaiu
for reelection. He retired, as he himself
said. willingly from the cares Of Office, ana
OF $ political life Tor winch he had 10 taste.
He now offers himself rs, acandidate as he
sayR not that lie desires Office and to re-eptel
political life, but because he is told that he
alone can unite The Democratic parry, cal
purify and restore ii, and preserve it from
the bsleiul influences which surround tht
present Democratic administration.
II ls with these reasons for candidacy, ant
not vida the candidate himself, THAT the
fault. l have no objection to Gen. Nichols
for. Governor. | do object to the assertion.
which deny, that his Is the only name th21
can unite and harmonize the Democratic
party. How can be and his canvassers unit;
the Democratic party, when they are con
Quoting campaign OF bitter denunciatioI
agsinst portion OF the Democratic party,
whose support and votes are necessary TO oui
| Success:
Then. ask, as I asked at Monroe. what il
this crisis thar has come upon the Demo
cratic party, and why this need of a saviour
70 sacrifice himself for their preservation
Why should war be declared against ,one-hal
Of the DEMOCRATIC party By the other, an(
Why should Gen. Nichols be called from hi
voluntary retirement to lead in this fratrici
dal contests Ii the present Democratic Stat
administratlon Is corrupt and unworthy o
public confidence, the people will condemn i
upon it; but il no such charges are mad,
and proven, and no srch charges have beel
made or proven in the present campaign
then it is evident that Gen. Nichols has bu
come forward as
THE LEADER OF A FACTION,
and the Democratic party cannot be harmon
lied through war OF factions.
Who has told Gen. Nichols that he was th.
only man whose name coFlo unite the Demo
cratic party? and by wint authority has an.
lliaT, Or set OF man, undertaken TO Gay to tn
people that Gen: Nichols IL the only esn
dIttate who can be recommended 1or thei
SURFACES: that he is The only candidate VIII,
ShiI hitA1G e:ir o'i'o5!iIcil w 'ilS piSscHt IoV
ernor. Wlv Should all opposition be unitet
against the present Governor any more thai
an opposition against Gen. Nichols? VIII
should the people be ordered to divide them
selves upon these personal lines! is i
Democratic? VIII such tilyison harmonic
the Democratic party! Hare the names O
Lc other candidates been presented for tie
! public approval?
Ihave Seen in certain portions of the Stab
STRONG popular manifestations in favor of
distinguished citizen OF your parish, who's
nanc has been identified with ,he cause o
the people in every political struggle of til
past twenty years and whose ability. inieg
rlty, devotion and brilliant services CON
mend him to the people of the Sta te as cini
lently- fitted for the high position of Cover
nor. l allude, of course, to John G. Mon
cure.
On Red river, 6 little below you, the peopl
OF Natahit0ches present. with unanimity til
.laL.la o. tAni, z, II